While Americans once liked “No Drama Obama” and his cool, rational approach to handling disasters, feelings are changing. Now, Americans want superman. “A nation whose distrust of central government has reached a post-Civil War high” now wants “a huge and powerful government to jump in” and fix what is now America’s worst oil spill. Alas, neither Obama nor the government can plug the hole: “That job can only be done by BP.”

While Americans once liked “No Drama Obama” and his cool, rational approach to handling disasters, feelings are changing. Now, Americans want superman. “A nation whose distrust of central government has reached a post-Civil War high” now wants “a huge and powerful government to jump in.” Alas, neither Obama nor the government can plug the hole: “That job can only be done by BP.”

The U.S. is facing a string of economic challenges that “constitute an emergency.” Uncertainty in Europe is just one threat. The New York Times writes persistently high unemployment is the “biggest danger.” Nearly half of the 9.9% currently unemployed have been without jobs for half a year or more. At current growth rates, it would take roughly 5 years to attain full employment. Moreover, current growth rates are unlikely as state governments slash budgets and headcounts. The New York Times calls on Congress to keep supporting the economy and postpone cost cutting. The “recovery is still fragile and needs are still great.” Focusing on the deficit now runs the great risk of “condemning the economy to a long, hard slog of subpar growth, barely indistinguishable, in effect, from recession itself. That would be worse for the nation’s finances than upfront spending.”

The U.S. is facing a string of economic challenges that “constitute an emergency.” Uncertainty in Europe is just one threat. The New York Times writes persistently high unemployment is the “biggest danger.” Nearly half of the 9.9% currently unemployed have been without jobs for half a year or more. At current growth rates, it would take roughly 5 years to attain full employment. Moreover, current growth rates are unlikely as state governments slash budgets and headcounts. The New York Times calls on Congress to keep supporting the economy and postpone cost cutting. The “recovery is still fragile and needs are still great.” Focusing on the deficit now runs the great risk of “condemning the economy to a long, hard slog of subpar growth, barely indistinguishable, in effect, from recession itself. That would be worse for the nation’s finances than upfront spending.”

The World Cup may offer a chance to shame North Korea where soccer is the number one sport. For the first time in 44 years, North Korea has qualified for the World Cup. While FIFA is unlikely to bar North Korea from the games, teams and individual players could use non-compulsory equipment, such as armbands or wristbands, to protest. Non-compulsory equipment could be emblazoned with the number 46, representing the lives of the South Korean sailors killed on the Cheonan.

The World Cup may offer a chance to shame North Korea where soccer is the number one sport. For the first time in 44 years, North Korea has qualified for the World Cup. While FIFA is unlikely to bar North Korea from the games, teams and individual players could use non-compulsory equipment, such as armbands or wristbands, to protest. Non-compulsory equipment could be emblazoned with the number 46, representing the lives of the South Korean sailors killed on the Cheonan.

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has “set a new high watermark for post-crises governance standards.” The largest 350 listed companies in the UK (the FTSE 350) are now asked to hold annual elections for each director. They are also being encouraged to adopt more diverse boards (only 12% of FTSE 100 directors are women) and utilize external reviews of board effectiveness on at least a triennial basis. Lastly, the new code makes clear that boards are responsible for risk management. This summer, the FRC will release a Stewardship code outlining the responsibilities of shareholders.

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has “set a new high watermark for post-crises governance standards.” The largest 350 listed companies in the UK (the FTSE 350) are now asked to hold annual elections for each director. They are also being encouraged to adopt more diverse boards (only 12% of FTSE 100 directors are women) and utilize external reviews of board effectiveness on at least a triennial basis. Lastly, the new code makes clear that boards are responsible for risk management. This summer, the FRC will release a Stewardship code outlining the responsibilities of shareholders.

North Korea has the makings of a global disaster. North Korea is worse than “hardline Stalinist despotism marked by a bizarre cult of personality.” Much worse. It is the most extreme form of totalitarianism imaginable. It’s even ruled by a dead man: Kim Il Sung remains head of state. There are absolutely no assurances that the North’s leaders are “rational” or “averse to committing suicide.” This places the whole world at risk. China’s leaders need to join other countries in a complete economic blockade of the North.

North Korea has the makings of a global disaster. North Korea is worse than “hardline Stalinist despotism marked by a bizarre cult of personality.” Much worse. It is the most extreme form of totalitarianism imaginable. It’s even ruled by a dead man: Kim Il Sung remains head of state. There are absolutely no assurances that the North’s leaders are “rational” or “averse to committing suicide.” This places the whole world at risk. China’s leaders need to join other countries in a complete economic blockade of the North.

Marking the end of an era, Apple became the most valued technology company in the world. At a market valuation of $222 billion, Apple surpassed long-time leader Microsoft by about one billion dollars. Microsoft continues to dominate desktops, PCs and business applications, but market growth now centers on in-hand mobility. The New York Times states this “heralds an important cultural shift: Consumer tastes have overtaken the needs of business as the leading force shaping technology.”

Marking the end of an era, Apple became the most valued technology company in the world. At a market valuation of $222 billion, Apple surpassed long-time leader Microsoft by about one billion dollars. Microsoft continues to dominate desktops, PCs and business applications, but market growth now centers on in-hand mobility. The New York Times states this “heralds an important cultural shift: Consumer tastes have overtaken the needs of business as the leading force shaping technology.”

In London, Paris, Madrid and Athens, governments are moving from fiscal stimulus to spending cuts. But in Washington, “the long-awaited ‘pivot’ to fiscal restraint” remains unseen. Instead, Congress is sneaking new spending into as many places as possible. The Post finds much of this spending wasteful and self-serving.

In London, Paris, Madrid and Athens, governments are moving from fiscal stimulus to spending cuts. But in Washington, “the long-awaited ‘pivot’ to fiscal restraint” remains unseen. Instead, Congress is sneaking new spending into as many places as possible. The Post finds much of this spending wasteful and self-serving.

If Europe’s leaders fail, the euro will fail. But they mustn’t and the euro shouldn’t. During boom times, leaders could break the rules. Early on, France and Germany broke the public debt limits (less than 60% of GDP) of the Stability and Growth Pact. Today’s leaders need to establish tough rules and hold their countries accountable. Europe also needs productivity gains to grow faster. This means difficult structural reforms can no longer be put off.

If Europe’s leaders fail, the euro will fail. But they mustn’t and the euro shouldn’t. During boom times, leaders could break the rules. Early on, France and Germany broke the public debt limits (less than 60% of GDP) of the Stability and Growth Pact. Today’s leaders need to establish tough rules and hold their countries accountable. Europe also needs productivity gains to grow faster. This means difficult structural reforms can no longer be put off.

Nobody should be buying 35-year U.S. Treasury bonds, which offer just a little over 4% annual interest. Yet people are. Barron’s warns that “today’s investors” will see the value of their investment dwindle because “sunny days of low inflation won’t last.”

Nobody should be buying 35-year U.S. Treasury bonds, which offer just a little over 4% annual interest. Yet people are. Barron’s warns that “today’s investors” will see the value of their investment dwindle because “sunny days of low inflation won’t last.”

The U.S. and other allies have worked to engage Kim Jong II, “albeit with decent intervals between his serial outrages.” The unprovoked sinking of the South Korean warship reveals “how little interest Kim has in any kind of peace.” Going forward, the allies should recognize that North Korea will cheat on any agreement. Instead of negotiating and engaging, North Korea should be cut off, isolated and officially recognized as a state sponsor of terrorism. This rogue state status should not change until the regime collapses. “North Korea won’t change until Kim dies or his regime falls. The goal of the West should be to increase pressure on the North toward the latter goal.”

The U.S. and other allies have worked to engage Kim Jong II, “albeit with decent intervals between his serial outrages.” The unprovoked sinking of the South Korean warship reveals “how little interest Kim has in any kind of peace.” Going forward, the allies should recognize that North Korea will cheat on any agreement. Instead of negotiating and engaging, North Korea should be cut off, isolated and officially recognized as a state sponsor of terrorism. This rogue state status should not change until the regime collapses. “North Korea won’t change until Kim dies or his regime falls. The goal of the West should be to increase pressure on the North toward the latter goal.”